Growing up in Oklahoma as an immigrant child from Mexico set the tone for Rogelio Esparza’s photography and visual art practice. “I found inspiration in photographer David Lachapelle’s This is My House (1997) featuring South Sudanese-British model Alek Wek. The contrast between the subject and setting in that particular photo connected with my reality as a Mexican-born kid being raised in middle America in the early 2000s.” Esparza’s work reflects how he wants to feel daily: poised with great confidence, no matter the setting.